Mizpah, Mizpeh
Mizpah, Mizpeh
MIZPAH, MIZPEH.These words (from tsphh, to look out, esp. as a watchman) mean outlook-point; and they are the names of several places and towns in Palestine, all presumably situated on elevated spots, and all probably ancient sacred places. The sites of several are, however, uncertain. As both names are significant, they nearly always in the Heb. have the article.
1. Mizpah in Gen 31:49, where Jacob and Laban made their compact together, and where the name is explained, by a popular etymology, from the words used by Laban, J [Note: Jahweh.] watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another (and interpose, it is implied, if either attempts to take an advantage of the other). The name has not been preserved, and hence the site cannot be fixed, except conjecturally. Improbable sites have been suggested: to judge from the general line of Jacobs route from Haran, the Mizpah here referred to will have been some eminence on the N.E. of the Jebei Ajlun, some 40 miles S.E. of the Lake of Gennesaret (cf. Driver, Genesis, pp. 288, 301 f.).
2. The land of Mizpah, at the foot of Hermon, in Jos 11:5, probably the same as the cleft (or plain between mountains) of Mizpeh in v. 8. This Mizpah, or Mizpeh, has been identified with the Druse village Mutelle (the climbed up to), on a hill 200 ft. high, at the S. end of the broad and fertile plain called the Merj Ayn (the meadow of Ayn), overlooking the basin of the Huleh sea, a little N. of Abil, and 8 m. W.N.W. of Bnis (Rob. iii. 372 f.). This, however, is thought by some to be not enough to the E. (notice under Hermon v. 8, and eastward v. 8); and Buhl (GAP [Note: AP Geographie des alten Paiastina.] 240) conjectures that it may have been the height on which are now the ruins of the Saracenic castle Kalat es-Subb, 2 m. above Bnias, on the N.E. In the former case the land of M. would be the Merj Ayn itself, between the rivers Litani and Hasbni; in the latter it would be the plain stretching down from Bnis towards Lake Huleh.
3. Mizpeh in Jos 15:38, in the Shephlah, or lowland of Judah, mentioned in the same group of cities as Lachish (Tell el-Hesy, 34 miles S.W. of Jerusalem). According to Eusebius (Onom. 279), there was a Mizpeh in the district of Eleutheropolis (Beit-Jibrn, 23 m. S.W. of Jerus.), on the N., and another on the road from Eleutheropolis to Jerusalem. The former of these descriptions would suit Tell es-Safiyeh, on a hill of white chalk 71/2 m. N.N.W. of Belt-Jibrn, with a commanding view, which, however, is now identified by many with Gath; the latter is too indefinite to permit of any identification being made with confidence.
4. The Mizpah of Jdg 10:17; Jdg 11:11; Jdg 11:34, Jephthahs home,apparently, to judge from the narrative, not very far from the Ammonite territory, and (11:33) the Aroer in front of Rabbath-ammon (Jos 13:25). The site can only be fixed conjecturally. Moore suggests the Jebel Osha, 16 m. N.W. of Rabbath-ammon, the highest point of the mountains S. of the Jabbok (3597 ft.), commanding a view of almost the whole Jordan Valley, as well as of much of the country opposite, on the W. of Jordan (Conder, Helh and Moab, 186 f.). Whether the Mizpeh of Gilead of Jdg 11:29 is the same spot is uncertain; from the difference of name, it would rather seem that it is not. The Mizpah of Hos 5:1 is, however, very probably the same as Jephthahs Mizpah. The Ramath-mizpeh (height of the outlook-point) of Jos 13:25, on the N. border of Gad, has also been supposed to be the same as Jephthahs Mizpah; but this is uncertain; a point further to the N. seems to be required.
5. The Mizpah, on the W. of Jordan, mentioned in Jdg 20:1; Jdg 20:8; Jdg 21:1; Jdg 21:5; Jdg 21:8, 1Sa 7:5 ff; 1Sa 10:17 as a meeting-place of Israelites on Important occasions; in 1Ki 15:22 (= 2Ch 16:8) as fortified by Asa; in 2Ki 23:23; 2Ki 23:25, Jer 40:5; Jer 40:8, and several times besides in Jer 40:1-16; Jer 41:1-18, as the residence of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar over Judah after the capture of Jerusalem in 586; and in Neh 3:7; Neh 3:15; Neh 3:19. The same place appears to be intended by the Mizpeh of 1Ma 3:45 (Gr. Masspha, as often in LXX [Note: Septuagint.] for Mizpah, e.g. Jdg 20:1; Jdg 20:8), over against Jerusalem, a former place of prayer (i.e. sanctuary) for Israel, at which the faithful Israelites assembled after Antiochus Epiphanes had desecrated the Temple and stopped all worship in it. This Mizpah was identified with much probability by Robinson (i. 460) with Nebi Samwil, a height 41/2 m. N.W. of Jerusalem, 2935 ft. above the sea, and some 500 ft. above the surrounding plain (notice gone or came up in Jdg 20:3; Jdg 21:5; Jdg 21:8), with a commanding view of the country round (ib. 457 f.). Nebi Samwil is 3 m. W.N.W. of Gibeah (cf. Jdg 20:1; Jdg 20:3 with the sequel), 2 m. S. of Gibeon (cf. Neh 3:7), and a little N. of the present road from Joppa to Jerusalem. It is the actual point from which travellers ascending by the ancient route through the pass of Beth-horon caught their first glimpse of the interior of the hills of Palestine. It is a very fair and delicious place, and it is called Mount Joy, because it gives joy to pilgrims hearts; for from that place men first see Jerusalem (Maundeville, cited in SP [Note: P Sinai and Palestine.] , p. 214). Its present name, Nebi Samwil (the Prophet Samuel), is due to the Moslem tradition that it was Samuels burial-place (cf. 1Sa 7:6; 1Sa 7:15 where Mizpah is mentioned as one of Samuels residences); and the mosque thereonce a Crusaders churchcontains a cenotaph revered by the Moslems as his tomb.
6. Mizpeh of Moab (1Sa 22:8,Mizpeh is perhaps also to be read in 1Sa 22:5 for the hold), the residence of the king of Moab when David consigned his parents to his care. It must have been situated on some eminence in Moab; but we have no further clue to its site.
S. R. Driver.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Mizpah, Mizpeh
mizpa, mizpe: This name is pointed both ways in the Hebrew, and is found usually with the article. The meaning seems to be outlook or watchtower. It is natural, therefore, to look for the places so named in high positions commanding wide prospects.
(1) (, ha-micpah (Gen 31:49; Jdg 11:11, Jdg 11:34), , micpah (Hos 5:1), , micpeh ghiladh (Jdg 11:29); , Massepha, , ten skopian, and other forms): It seems probable that the same place is intended in all these passages, and that it is identical with Ramath-mizpeh of Jos 13:26. It is the place where Jacob and Laban parted in Mt. Gilead; consequently it lay to the North of Mahanaim. Here was the home of Jephthah, to which he returned after the defeat of the Aremonites, only to realize how his rash vow had brought desolation to his house. It was taken by Judas Maccabeus, who destroyed the inhabitants and burned the city (1 Macc 5:35). Identifications have been suggested with Suf, Jerash, and Kalat er-Rabad; but these seem all to lie South of any possible site for Mahanaim. A ruined site was discovered by Dr. Schumacher (M und NPDV, 1897, 86), with the name Masfa, which is just the Arabic equivalent of the Hebrew Micpah. It lies some distance to the Northwest of Jerash and claims consideration in any attempt to fix the site of Mizpah.
(2) ( , ‘erec ha-micpah (Jos 11:3), , bikath micpeh (verse 8); , Masseuman, , Massephath, and other forms): The land of Mizpah and the valley of Mizpah may be taken as applying to the same district. It lay on the southwest slopes of Hermon Northeast of the Waters of Merom. The site must be looked for on one of the heights in the region indicated, from which a wide view is obtained. Mutallah, a Druze village standing on a hill to the North of Abil, and East of Nahr el-Hasbany, was suggested by Robinson. The present writer agrees with Buhl (GAP, 240) that the ancient castle above Banias, Kalat es-Subeibeh, occupies a more likely position.
(3) (, micpeh; , Maspha): A town in the Shephelah of Judah named with Dilan, Joktheel and Lachish (Tell el-Hesy). Eusebius, Onomasticon mentions a Masfa in the neighborhood of Eleutheropolis, to the North. The identification proposed by Van de Velde and Guerin would suit this description. They would locate Mizeph at Tell es-Safiyeh, about 7 1/2 miles Northwest of Beit Jibrn, a conspicuous hill with a glittering white cliff rising like an isolated block above the adjacent country (PEFS, 1903, 276). Many identify this site with Gath, but the name and character of the place point rather to identification with Mizpeh, the Blanche Guarde or Alba Specula of the Middle Ages.
(4) (, ha-micpah; , Massema, , Maspha): A town in the territory of Benjamin (Jos 18:26). Hither came the men of Israel to deal with the Benjamites after the outrage on the Levite’s concubine (Jdg 20:1, Jdg 20:3; Jdg 21:1, Jdg 21:5, Jdg 21:8). At Mizpah, Samuel gathered his countrymen. While there crying to God in their distress, they were attacked by the Philistines, whom they defeated with great slaughter (1Sa 7:5, etc.). Here also Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen king, after which Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom (Mat 10:17, etc.). Mizpah was fortified by Asa, king of Judah, with materials which Baasha, king of Israel, had used to fortify Ramah (1Ki 15:22; 2Ch 16:6). When Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and made Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, governor of the remnant of the people left in the land of Judah, the governor’s residence was fixed at Mizpah (2Ki 25:23). Here he was joined by Jeremiah, whom Nebuzaradan, captain of the Babylonian guard, had set free. At Mizpah, Ishmael, son of Nathaiah, treacherously slew Gedaliah and many who were with him. Two days later he murdered a company of pilgrims, throwing their dead bodies into the great cistern which Asa had made when strengthening the place against possible attack by Baasha of Samaria. He then made prisoners of the people, including the king’s daughters, and attempted to convey them away to the Ammonites, an attempt that was frustrated by Johanan, son of Kareah (Jer 40; 41). Mizpah was the scene of memorable assembly in a day of sore anxiety for Judah, when Judas Maccabeus called the warriors of Judah together for counsel and prayer (1 Macc 3:46). From this passage we also learn that the place was an ancient sanctuary – for in Mizpah there was a place of prayer aforetime for Israel.
It has been proposed to identify Mizpah with Tell Nasbeh, a site on the watershed South of Breh. The Abbe Raboisson established the fact that Jerusalem can be seen from this point. In this respect it agrees with Maundeville’s description. It is a very fair and delicious place, and it is called Mt. Joy because it gives joy to pilgrims’ hearts, for from that place men first see Jerusalem. But Jer 41:10 may be taken as decisive against this identification. Ishmael departed to go east. From Tell Nasbeh this would never have brought him to the great waters that are in Gibeon (PEFS, 1898, 169, 251; 1903, 267). A more probable identification is with Neby Samwl, a village on high ground 4 1/2 miles Northwest of Jerusalem, the traditional burying-place of Samuel. It is 2, 935 ft. above sea-level, and 500 ft. higher than the surrounding land. Here the pilgrims coming up by way of Beth-heron from Jaffa, the ancient route, first saw the Holy City. The mosque of the village was formerly a church, dating from Crusading times; and here the tomb of Samuel is shown. If this is the ancient Mizpah, a very slight detour to the North would bring Ishmael to the great waters that are in Gibeon, el-Jb (Gibeon) being only a mile and a quarter distant.
(5) ( , micpeh mo’abh Mizpeh of Moab; , Masepha): A town in Moab to which David took his parents for safety during Saul’s pursuit of him (1Sa 22:3). It is possibly to be identified with Kir-moab, the modern Kerak, whither David would naturally go to interview the king. But there is no certainty. Possibly we should read Mizpah instead of the hold in 1Sa 22:5.
(6) In 2Ch 20:24, probably we should read Mizpah instead of watch-tower: ha-micpeh la-midhbar would then point to a Mizpeh of the Wilderness to be sought in the district of Tekoa (2Ch 20:20).
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Mizpah, Mizpeh
[Miz’pah] [Miz’peh]
1. The place where Jacob and Laban parted, after making a covenant and raising a heap of stones as a witness of the covenant and as a landmark between them. It was on the east of the Jordan, somewhere in Gilead. Gen 31:49; Jdg 10:17; Jdg 11:11; Jdg 11:29; Jdg 11:34. It is probably the place mentioned in Jdg 20:1; Jdg 20:3; Jdg 21:1; Jdg 21:5; Jdg 21:8. Some suppose it to be identical with RAMATH-MIZPEH in Jos 13:26; and this to be the same as RAMOTH-GILEAD. Others judge these to be all different places and that No. 1 is identified with Suf , 32 18′ N, 35 50′ E.
2. LAND OF MIZPEH, the resort of the Hivites, who joined with Jabin to attack Joshua. It was ‘under Hermon,’ and therefore in the north of Palestine, Jos 11:3; this is possibly the same as
3. VALLEY OF MIZPEH to which Joshua chased the allies. Jos 11:8. Probably the extensive valley on the east of Mount Lebanon.
4. Town in the lowlands of Judah. Jos 15:38. Not identified.
5. City of Moab, where David placed his parents for safety. 1Sa 22:3. Not identified.
6. City of Benjamin, in the vicinity of Ramah and Gibeon. Jos 18:26. It was the city to which Samuel gathered the people, as ‘to the Lord,’ and where he judged Israel, and where also he presented Saul to them as their king. 1Sa 7:5-16; 1Sa 10:17. The city was rebuilt by Asa king of Judah, and, after the destruction of Jerusalem, Gedaliah the governor established himself there. 1Ki 15:22; 2Ki 25:23; 2Ki 25:25; 2Ch 16:6; Jer 40:6-15; Jer 41:1-16; Hos 5:1. Probably the same place is alluded to in Neh 3:7; Neh 3:15; Neh 3:19. Identified by some with Neby Samwil, 31 50′ N, 35 10′ E.